The New Despotism

work by Hewart of Bury

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July 1, 2026

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"The New Despotism" is a 1929 work by Gordon Hewart, 1st Viscount Hewart, who served as the lord chief justice of England from 1922 to 1940. The book is described as a powerful, though sometimes immoderate, critique of the quasi-judicial powers granted to the executive branch of government and their application. Hewart's work opposed governmental overreach and bureaucratic restrictions, aligning with champions of civil liberties. Despotism, in general, refers to a system of government where a ruler possesses unlimited power, often characterized by tyranny, dictatorship, or autocracy. The term's usage evolved from an honorable title for specific rulers to one primarily denoting a ruler with absolute, oppressive power.123

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Gordon Hewart, 1st Viscount Hewart
His book The New Despotism (1929) was a powerful but not always temperate indictment of the quasijudicial powers granted to the executive and of the use made of them. On the other hand, champions of civil liberties approved of his opposition to governmental encroachments and bureaucratic restrictions.
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His book The New Despotism (1929) was a powerful but not always temperate indictment of the quasijudicial powers granted to the executive and of the use made of them. On the other hand, champions of civil liberties approved of his opposition to governmental encroachments and bureaucratic restrictions.
Read More